Blair Walsh is such a bum. Any field goal he's made he's either pointed or looked over at the Vikings bench. Congrats dude, you're hitting preseason field goals. Too bad you can't hit them when they count. But he has the balls to taunt our sideline? That's laughable

I with they had shown Zimmer's face when Walsh did that.

THE GOOD: Dalvin Cook (several nice runs), Diggs (looked ready for the season), Jaleel Johnson (2nd solid game, he was a constant menace), Bucky Hodges (back to back long catches, the 2nd a nice TD), overall improved OL play across the board, no major injuries!

THE BAD: Heineke (looked even worse this week), Refs spot and review on the Floyd Catch (end of half, I believe).

THE UGLY: RUN D, especially bc of over pursuit, Special Teams ( Adam's fumble made me miss Cordarelle so much),

Sat Aug 19, 2017 8:05 am

PurpleMustReign

Starting Wide Receiver

Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 5:48 pmPosts: 18316Location: Crystal, MN

Re: Preseason Game 2 Vikings At Seattle

Special teams are bad so far out side of the two kickers. The punters have been ok. I hate Paul Allen as the announcer. The OL looked good yesterday. That was a nice change. Did Clemmings play at all?

Good: Elflein, Hill, Easton and O-line in general (0 sacks allowed, 1 hurry, Dalvin averaged 5.7 YPC vs. one of the best defenses and defensive lines), Diggs, Kendrick's, J. Johnson (I think he should start next week), Bower, Hunter (stud), Bucky as a receiver, Gedeon as a run-defender, kickers

Bad: Bradford (some ill-advised passes and missed open guys), Newman, Gedeon as a pass-defender, special teams (Adams, McKinnon, Coley). We're going to take a significant step back in the return game.

Ugly: Mac Alexander and our entire corner depth. Waynes better be back soon. Run defense. Get Tom Johnson out of there. He's a nickel rusher only.

_________________“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” --- Bill Shankly

Sat Aug 19, 2017 9:26 am

VikingPaul73

Career Elite Player

Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 5:07 pmPosts: 2923

Re: Preseason Game 2 Vikings At Seattle

Pondering Her Percy wrote:

Blair Walsh is such a bum. Any field goal he's made he's either pointed or looked over at the Vikings bench. Congrats dude, you're hitting preseason field goals. Too bad you can't hit them when they count. But he has the balls to taunt our sideline? That's laughable

And it's not like the Vikings did anything vindictive, trashed him publicly, or anything unprofessional whatsoever

They gave him more than enough chances, treated him more than fairly, and simply cut him after 2 years of shaky performances and blown games. People get cut all the time in the NFL

Just pathetic and classless by Walsh

Sat Aug 19, 2017 9:31 am

Texas Vike

Hall of Fame Candidate

Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2012 9:52 amPosts: 3573

Re: Preseason Game 2 Vikings At Seattle

VikingPaul73 wrote:

Pondering Her Percy wrote:

Blair Walsh is such a bum. Any field goal he's made he's either pointed or looked over at the Vikings bench. Congrats dude, you're hitting preseason field goals. Too bad you can't hit them when they count. But he has the balls to taunt our sideline? That's laughable

And it's not like the Vikings did anything vindictive, trashed him publicly, or anything unprofessional whatsoever

They gave him more than enough chances, treated him more than fairly, and simply cut him after 2 years of shaky performances and blown games. People get cut all the time in the NFL

Just pathetic and classless by Walsh

He's a chippy guy and obviously he felt slighted by the Vikings. We can't be sure what all happened between him and the organization, but judging by how he has been in the past... I get the sense that he's a guy who looks for ways to get motivated and is easily offended. Whatever. He'll choke for them some day when it matters. I'd rather have a kicker who is just flatline. No need for emotional paroxysm with that position.

Sat Aug 19, 2017 9:39 am

VikingPaul73

Career Elite Player

Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 5:07 pmPosts: 2923

Re: Preseason Game 2 Vikings At Seattle

Excellent point !!!! Maybe that overly emotional side of his personality is the root cause of his failings as a K!!!

Sat Aug 19, 2017 9:55 am

720pete

Pro Bowl Elite Player

Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2013 11:07 pmPosts: 599

Re: Preseason Game 2 Vikings At Seattle

Blair Walsh is a straight up turd. I think i hate the Seahawks almost as much as I hate any other team in the NFL.

Sat Aug 19, 2017 10:52 am

PurpleKoolaid

Hall of Famer

Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2011 9:52 pmPosts: 8301

Re: Preseason Game 2 Vikings At Seattle

Not impressed by Sam, preseason or not, this year.

Our secondary looks bad, Waynes needs to play in these games, he and Rhodes are going to be the primary corners. We need to find someone to play slot. And maybe someone to stop the run.

Sat Aug 19, 2017 10:53 am

halfgiz

All Pro Elite Player

Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2013 11:38 pmPosts: 1743

Re: Preseason Game 2 Vikings At Seattle

Some good things last night...Hodges With those two grabs for 55 yards, Hodges was the #Vikings' second-leading receiver on the night.

Jaleel Johnson again. He's had a heck of a night so far.

Tashawn Bower is just destroying the guy across from him. Bower out there chasing guys down in coverage, too.

I've only seen about 1.5 quarters of the game so far. The starting OL looked good in the stretch, particularly when they started opening good running lanes for Cook. Cook has a nice burst through the hole but in these first two games, it looks to me like the first tackler brings him down more often than not. Maybe that's a misperception but I hope he'll be able to get the tough yards when necessary.

It's hard to get a read on the team at this time of year. They put together a nice opening drive only to self-destruct themselves into settling for a FG at the end of it. I hope they can break that particular habit and finish a lot more drives with TDs this season.

I've only seen about 1.5 quarters of the game so far. The starting OL looked good in the stretch, particularly when they started opening good running lanes for Cook. Cook has a nice burst through the hole but in these first two games, it looks to me like the first tackler brings him down more often than not. Maybe that's a misperception but I hope he'll be able to get the tough yards when necessary.

It's hard to get a read on the team at this time of year. They out together a nice opening drive only to self-destruct themselves into settling for a FG at the end of it. I hope they can break that particular habit and finish a lot more drives with TDs this season.

Have to gain yards on first down. I don't have the stats in front of me but I'd wager we were among the worst in the league on first down last year, leading to a ridiculous number of third and long situations. All starts up front.

I like how quick Cook gets downhill. Wish he could juke or step over a couple of the ankle tackles but he seems to be a step away from big chunk gains. They'll come. Good burst through the hole.

Blair could've been having fun or responding to his former teammates. I don't care about it at all.

_________________“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” --- Bill Shankly

Sat Aug 19, 2017 4:07 pm

mosscarter

All Pro Elite Player

Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 2:34 amPosts: 1056

Re: Preseason Game 2 Vikings At Seattle

bradford had all the time in the world to throw last night and truthfully i wasn't all that impressed. the problem with floyd is we won't have him until week 5; if we can't find ways to score td's we could very well start the season 0-2 after playing the saints and then steelers on the road. i think pittsburgh averaged nearly 30 points a game last year. we simply don't score points and haven't for years.

Sat Aug 19, 2017 4:19 pm

Mothman

Defensive Tackle

Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2003 11:48 amPosts: 37357Location: Chicago, IL

Re: Preseason Game 2 Vikings At Seattle

dead_poet wrote:

Have to gain yards on first down. I don't have the stats in front of me but I'd wager we were among the worst in the league on first down last year, leading to a ridiculous number of third and long situations. All starts up front.

I like how quick Cook gets downhill. Wish he could juke or step over a couple of the ankle tackles but he seems to be a step away from big chunk gains. They'll come. Good burst through the hole.

Blair could've been having fun or responding to his former teammates. I don't care about it at all.

I don't either.

You're right that they need to do better on first down. It would set them up much better for success. They were 23rd in the league in yards per first down attempt last season.

They also need to avoid penalties in the red zone. I don't know where they've been ranked in that department over the last few years but it seems like they've had a tendency to turn good situations (ie: red zone possessions) into bad (long yardage situations).

I'm encouraged by the OL performance on Friday. They were obviously going against good defensive talent.

Sat Aug 19, 2017 4:56 pm

J. Kapp 11

Hall of Famer

Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:57 pmPosts: 6889

Re: Preseason Game 2 Vikings At Seattle

Mothman wrote:

Texas Vike wrote:

Looks like Blair Walsh was responding to some taunting from his ex-teammates:

I've only seen about 1.5 quarters of the game so far. The starting OL looked good in the stretch, particularly when they started opening good running lanes for Cook. Cook has a nice burst through the hole but in these first two games, it looks to me like the first tackler brings him down more often than not. Maybe that's a misperception but I hope he'll be able to get the tough yards when necessary.

It's hard to get a read on the team at this time of year. They put together a nice opening drive only to self-destruct themselves into settling for a FG at the end of it. I hope they can break that particular habit and finish a lot more drives with TDs this season.

I don't see Cook breaking tackles so far, but I've seen him make people miss, especially against Seattle. I recall Richard Sherman getting tackling a ghost on one run. I've also seen him move the pile a couple of times these first two games. What encouraged me was that he seemed to find his legs and his rhythm this week.

The offense is, on one hand, encouraging. They moved the ball well against a talented defense last night. On the other hand, the area that NEEDS to improve, red-zone offense, apparently has not. It's one thing to get stopped by a good defense, but two penalties on the same red-zone possession is disappointing in a huge way. Especially true since Zimmer & Co. have been emphasizing it. Don't know what has to happen to improve here, but we've got two weeks, so let's see what comes.

_________________Go ahead. I dare you.Underestimate this man.

Sat Aug 19, 2017 6:43 pm

PacificNorseWest

Career Elite Player

Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 1:10 amPosts: 2360Location: Seattle, Wa

Re: Preseason Game 2 Vikings At Seattle

Good: The run game was better, the offense moved the ball and Hunter destroyed Germain Ifedi.

Bad: The defense was gashed, the Vikings redzone offense is still trash and #### Blair Walsh.

I actually like Blair, the person, but he was feeling himself waaay too much. We'll see how it goes when he has pressure on him in a meaningful game again. Seattle, feel our pain!

Sat Aug 19, 2017 7:15 pm

jackal

Strong Safety

Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2006 2:05 amPosts: 11497Location: California

Re: Preseason Game 2 Vikings At Seattle

I have to admit I want to see tank in a playoff game, mostly because I hate the Seahawks.

I'll admit I put almost no weight in what I see during preseason. Coaches are looking at different players and situations, which can easily affect how the team plays.

Besides, how many times have we seen a team win its preseason games and bomb during the regular season? And vice versa. It happens frequently.

My biggest fear during preseason are injuries and their impact on the team during regular season.

The most fun I have during preseason games is watching the younger guys battling for starting and/or backup positions. I always find myself rooting for the rookies the Vikings draft to look impressive.

Sun Aug 20, 2017 9:41 am

Texas Vike

Hall of Fame Candidate

Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2012 9:52 amPosts: 3573

Re: Preseason Game 2 Vikings At Seattle

losperros wrote:

I'll admit I put almost no weight in what I see during preseason. Coaches are looking at different players and situations, which can easily affect how the team plays.

Besides, how many times have we seen a team win its preseason games and bomb during the regular season? And vice versa. It happens frequently.

My biggest fear during preseason are injuries and their impact on the team during regular season.

The most fun I have during preseason games is watching the younger guys battling for starting and/or backup positions. I always find myself rooting for the rookies the Vikings draft to look impressive.

Completely agree regarding injuries and special attention on the rookies. I've enjoyed watching Jaleel Johnson, in particular. Cook, too. It was nice to see him reel off a few solid runs in a row on Friday. Heck, I even got excited for Bucky Hodges in the 4th quarter!

I'm ready for the games to count. I am a bit nervous to face New Orleans the first game, though. Especially AD with how poor our run D has looked.

Sun Aug 20, 2017 3:08 pm

J. Kapp 11

Hall of Famer

Joined: Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:57 pmPosts: 6889

Re: Preseason Game 2 Vikings At Seattle

losperros wrote:

I'll admit I put almost no weight in what I see during preseason. Coaches are looking at different players and situations, which can easily affect how the team plays.

Besides, how many times have we seen a team win its preseason games and bomb during the regular season? And vice versa. It happens frequently.

My biggest fear during preseason are injuries and their impact on the team during regular season.

The most fun I have during preseason games is watching the younger guys battling for starting and/or backup positions. I always find myself rooting for the rookies the Vikings draft to look impressive.

Case in point ... Mike Zimmer is 12-2 in the preseason.

I really like Mike Zimmer and want more than anything for him to succeed. But 12-2 in preseason with 26-22 in the regular season (which isn't terrible, but isn't moving significantly forward) sort of proves your statement.

Center Pat Elflein displayed the mean streak we saw on tape as a run blocker and pass protector. He is a fantastic blocker in the second level and drives through defenders until the whistle. In the clip below, Elflein barrels the defensive tackle out of the play and Dalvin Cook gets small at the line of scrimmage to push forward through defenders. Cook is very elusive and picks up yards after contact because of his vision/patience and strong cutbacks. He was very tough to bring down in this game and nearly knocked off several long runs.

_________________“Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.” --- Bill Shankly

Center Pat Elflein displayed the mean streak we saw on tape as a run blocker and pass protector. He is a fantastic blocker in the second level and drives through defenders until the whistle. In the clip below, Elflein barrels the defensive tackle out of the play and Dalvin Cook gets small at the line of scrimmage to push forward through defenders. Cook is very elusive and picks up yards after contact because of his vision/patience and strong cutbacks. He was very tough to bring down in this game and nearly knocked off several long runs.

Tell you what I also like about Cook. Even though he played well against Seattle, he said he was upset at himself that he didn't make the safeties miss. I mean, we're talking about Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas here.